Learning Resources: Graphic Novels

Graphic Adaptations can Help you Build Bridges to the Classics. Gareth Hinds takes the most challenging works of classic literature for our students, spends years studying them deeply, and creates graphic adaptations students get excited about reading.

I mean, come on! How great is that? With highly regarded adaptations of The Odyssey, The Iliad, Poe’s stories, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice, Beowulf, and more, Gareth Hinds is quickly moving through the canon to create colorful, accessible, dare-I-say FUN versions of classics students often struggle with.

You can use his adaptations as whole class texts, incorporate some copies to complement your text-only version during station work or in-class activities, or provide copies as a supplement to the text-only version.

Listen in to an interview with Gareth on the podcast below to learn more about his process and his recommendations for teachers teaching his works.

In this blog post/podcast, you'll hear from six educators about their favorite classroom uses for graphic novels. Each brings something unique to the table.

You’ll discover how graphic novels can work beautifully to create reading ladders in your choice reading program, how to combine them into a fast and engaging literature circles unit, how to use them as a springboard to get students creating visual stories (more on this tomorrow!), and more.

Host a Graphic Novel Book Tasting

Graphic novels are going to be a gateway to reading for lots of kids, so it's fun to take a little time to introduce/reintroduce them to your students through a book tasting to show them what you have available - whether it's hard classroom copies, digital library copies, or hard copies checked out from a local library.

Setting up a graphic novel tasting is a great project that can be as elaborate as you want it to be. The main thing is to create stations around your room with graphic novels spread out over them.

You can stop there, or add fun with music, ambiance videos, tablecloths, and fun snacks and drinks.

I'll walk you through the whole process (including what to do if you don't have many graphic novels in your classroom library yet) in the podcast linked below.